Teacher - Transitions Academy Special Ed

Holyoke Public Schools; Holyoke (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Holyoke Public Schools is seeking a Transition Academy Special Education Teacher for the Transitions Academy program in Holyoke, MA. The teacher will work with students aged 18-22, coordinating individualized activities to support postsecondary goals and adulthood transition.

The role centers on functional academics, independent living, vocational development, and community-based education, aligning with each student’s IEP and collaborations with adult services.

Qualifications

• Active MA Teaching Certification in Moderate Disabilities.
• Experience developing IEPs and transition plans.
• Ability to collaborate with families and agencies.

Responsibilities

• Teach students ages 18-22 with IEP goals aligned to transition.
• Develop lesson plans and provide targeted instruction.
• Collaborate with families, staff, and adult service agencies.

Skills

Special Education

IEP Goals

Vocational Skills

Education

MA Teaching Certification - Moderate Disabilities

Job description

Teacher - Transitions Academy Special Education Holyoke Public Schools

PUPIL SERVICES - HOLYOKE, Massachusetts Job ID:5954403 Application

Deadline:Oct 30, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time) Posted:Oct 08, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC) Starting Date:Aug 19, 2026 Job Description DISTRICT

OVERVIEW

Holyoke Public Schools is a PreK-12 public school district serving nearly 4,800 students, of whom 80 percent are Latino/Latina, in 11 schools. We employ nearly 1,300 people who together educate and support a richly diverse community of learners. We are committed to recruiting and retaining top-quality educators who believe all children can and will learn and who strive daily to make school a joyful place of discovery, support, and belonging.

Holyoke Public Schools strategic plan, Moving Forward Together, builds on the strengths of our past while serving as a call to action to accelerate student learning by thinking differently about how we teach, how we work together, and how we support students well-being. Many successes contributed to Holyoke's return to local governance after 10 years in state receivership. These include: The highest graduation rate on record of 77.1 percent, an increase of more than 15-points over 10 years. Meaningful, applied learning opportunities for high school students, including theme-based academies, career vocational technical education programming, work-based learning, and advanced coursework. A comprehensive approach to early literacy that includes strong core instruction and one-on-one tutoring, contributing to more students reading at grade level. A thriving dual language English/Spanish program, where nearly 900 students are on their path to becoming bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural. More than one-third of Holyoke teachers identify as people of color, a 19-point increase over 10 years. Many partnership programs support staff to earn licensure or additional certification. Please visit the Holyoke Public Schools website to learn more about us, our recent accomplishments, and our commitment to equity.

TRANSITIONS ACADEMY OUR MISSION AND PROGRAM

The Transition Specialist works closely with the student, family, and team to understand the student’s vision. Students are provided with a coordinated set of individualized activities to meet that vision. Coordinated activity examples include work-based learning experiences, recreational opportunities, community-based education, and daily workshops in social, vocational, and functional academics, based on the student’s individual education program (IEP). The Transition Specialist works closely with state agency services for adults to assure students have a smooth transition into adulthood once they turn 22.

Transitions Academy Special Education Teacher Position Overview

The Transitions Academy Special Education Teacher serves students ages 18-22 and works closely with students, families, staff, and community partners to support each student’s vision for adulthood. The teacher develops coordinated, individualized programming based on each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), strengths, interests, and postsecondary goals. Programming includes functional academics, independent living skills, vocational development, community-based education, recreational opportunities, and work-based learning experiences. The teacher also collaborates with adult service agencies to help students experience a smooth transition into adult services when they exit the program.

Essential Responsibilities

Serve as a Moderate Disabilities Special Education Teacher for students ages 18-22. Develop lesson plans and provide targeted instruction aligned with students’ IEP goals. Provide instruction in functional academics, vocational skills, social skills, independent living, community access, and postsecondary readiness. Assist with the development and implementation of person-centered plans. Ensure that all IEP services, ac